3 Q: Why are the Commandments of God so named?

A: The Commandments of God are so named because God Himself has stamped them on the soul of every man; promulgated them, engraved on two tables of stone, on Mount Sinai, in the Old Law; and Jesus Christ has confirmed them in the New Law.

4 Q: Which are the Commandments of the first table?

A: The Commandments of the first table are the first three, which directly regard God and our duties towards Him.

5 Q: Which are the Commandments of the second table?

A: The Commandments of the second table are the last seven, which regard our neighbor, and our duties towards him.

6 Q: Are we bound to observe the Commandments?

A: Yes, we are bound to observe the Commandments, because we are all bound to live according to the will of God who created us, and because a serious transgression against even one of them is enough to merit hell.

7 Q: Are we able to observe the Commandments?

A: Yes, without doubt we are able to observe God’s Commandments, because God never commands anything that is impossible, and because He gives grace to observe them to those who ask it as they should.

8 Q: What, in a general way, should we consider in each of the Commandments?

A: In each of the Commandments we should consider its positive part and its negative part, that is, what it commands and what it forbids.